Meaning: The quote by Wilhelm Dilthey highlights the historical relationship between the sciences of society and history with metaphysics. Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between mind and matter. Dilthey suggests that the social and historical sciences were subordinate to metaphysics for an extended period, particularly until the eighteenth century.

During the pre-modern era, metaphysical concepts heavily influenced the study of society and history. The prevailing worldview was often shaped by religious and philosophical beliefs, which had a significant impact on the interpretation and analysis of social and historical phenomena. Metaphysical assumptions about the nature of existence, causality, and human behavior permeated scholarly inquiries into human societies and historical events.

The dominance of metaphysics in the social and historical sciences can be attributed to the broader intellectual and cultural context of the time. In pre-modern societies, religious and metaphysical frameworks provided the overarching explanatory narratives for the nature of reality, human existence, and the unfolding of historical events. Scholars and thinkers relied on metaphysical principles to make sense of social structures, cultural practices, and the dynamics of historical change.

However, as the Enlightenment unfolded in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, there was a gradual shift away from the hegemony of metaphysics in the social and historical sciences. The Enlightenment marked a period of intellectual and philosophical transformation, characterized by a growing emphasis on reason, empirical observation, and the scientific method. This shift in intellectual orientation had profound implications for the study of society and history.

Enlightenment thinkers, influenced by the burgeoning scientific revolution, sought to apply empirical and rational approaches to the investigation of human societies and historical developments. This marked a departure from the traditional reliance on metaphysical explanations and speculative reasoning in the social and historical sciences. The rise of empirical methodologies and the cultivation of critical inquiry signaled a significant break from the earlier subservience to metaphysics.

Wilhelm Dilthey, as a prominent historian and philosopher, was deeply engaged in the reconfiguration of the social and historical sciences in the wake of the Enlightenment. He sought to establish a distinct methodological framework for the study of human societies and historical phenomena, emphasizing the importance of understanding human experiences and the unique contextuality of historical events. Dilthey's work contributed to the development of hermeneutics, a method of interpretation that sought to elucidate the meaning and significance of human actions and cultural artifacts within their specific historical and social contexts.

In conclusion, Wilhelm Dilthey's quote underscores the historical subordination of the social and historical sciences to metaphysics, particularly in the pre-modern era. The gradual shift towards empirical inquiry and rational analysis during the Enlightenment era marked a significant departure from this subservient relationship, leading to the emergence of new methodological approaches in the study of society and history. Dilthey's own contributions to the development of hermeneutics reflected the evolving intellectual landscape, emphasizing the need for contextual understanding and interpretive approaches in the social and historical sciences.